Studio Ghibli has announced its voice cast for its new feature film “Kokurikozaka Kara,” scheduled to open in theaters on July 16. Masami Nagasawa (長澤まさみ）,23, has been cast as the main character, and V6 member Junichi Okada (岡田准一）,30, has been cast as the main male character.

（ｃ）２０１１高橋千鶴・佐山哲郎・ＧＮＤＨＤＤＴ

The movie is the second film directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro, who debuted with “Gedo Senki” (“Tales from Earthsea”). As reported last year, the movie is adapted from a shoujo manga of the same name by Chizuru Takahashiand Sayama Tetsuro.

The story takes place in 1963 Yokohama, where the Komatsuzaki family runs an old lodging house. Nagasawa will voice Komatsuzaki Umi, the family’s daughter. The film revolves around her everyday life at high school, particularly with another student named Kazama Shun (played by Okada), in whom she takes an interest.

Nagasawa has performed in many movies and television dramas including Crying out Love, In the Center of the World, Dragon Zakura and Proposal Daisakusen.